Depending on who is reporting on the story, Patriots third-year backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will very likely be traded this offseason…unless he isn't.
The only certainty right now is that Tom Brady's stand-in is a major talking point in the 24/7-365 NFL news cycle.
From local reports out of potential landing spots like Cleveland to endless analysis of would-be trades on NFL Network and ESPN, Garoppolo trade talk is everywhere.
Tuesday, the budding young quarterback himself addressed the ongoing trade rumors in an appearance on Adam Schefter's ESPN podcast.
"For the most part I'm just trying to stay level-headed, try not to overthink it too much," Garoppolo said, via an ESPN transcription of the “Know Them From Adam” audio. "Because at the end of the day I'm still under contract. It's not my decision if I get traded or if I don't. So you try to take it all in stride."
The former Eastern Illinois star was asked about potentially playing for his home-state Bears, who along with the Browns and 49ers are among the most rumored trade candidates. They are also the teams with the top three selections in April's draft.
"I really don't know how it'd feel," ESPN reports of Garoppolo's response regarding playing professionally in the state where he earned a second-round draft selection with I-AA success.
While trade scenarios and chatter are prevalent in the media, any potential talks between teams would likely heat up next week at the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, though a trade could not become official until the new league year on March 9.
Garoppolo is heading into the fourth and final year of his rookie contract.
